Support system

ABSTRACT

A support system for one or more display items is configured with side walls extending in a longitudinal direction from a base towards a top such that an interior is defined between the base, top and side walls. A plurality of receptacles are configured in the base and a plurality of holes are configured in a floor parallel to and spaced apart from the base. Within the interior, a plurality of transparent platforms of a plurality of different sizes are configured at a plurality of different distances from the base. One or more transparent pillars are configured to extend between the receptacles, through the holes and into a supporting relationship with each of the one or more platforms.

BACKGROUND

Frequently, it is desirable to support a plurality of objects on one or more shelves or platforms to elevate the objects from the floor or ground, for example, to facilitate viewing of the objects or access thereto. A variety of types of supports are known for this purpose.

SUMMARY

In a support system for one or more display items, an enclosure has a base, a top, side walls extending in a longitudinal direction and an interior defined between the base, top and side walls; one or more platforms within the interior; and one or more pillars supporting each of the one or more platforms.

In a method for providing a support for one or more display items, an enclosure is configured with side walls extending in a longitudinal direction from a base towards a top such that an interior is defined between the base, top and side walls; a plurality of receptacles are configured in the base and a plurality of holes are configured in a floor parallel to and spaced apart from the base; within the interior, a plurality of transparent platforms of a plurality of different sizes are configured at a plurality of different distances from the base; and one or more transparent pillars are configured to extend between the receptacles, through the holes and into a supporting relationship with each of the one or more platforms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an example support system.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the example support system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a right side view of the example support system of FIGS. 1 & 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a back view of the example support system of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the example support system of FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an example display platform usable within the example support system of FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a second example display platform usable within the example support system of FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a third example display platform usable within the example support system of FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a fourth example display platform usable within the example support system of FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a fifth example display platform usable within the example support system of FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a sixth example display platform usable within the example support system of FIGS. 1-5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In addition to supporting a plurality of objects on one or more shelves to elevate the objects from the floor or ground, it is frequently desirable that these supported objects be housed within an enclosure protecting them from an external environment or theft. In some circumstances, such as when supported objects are intended to be displayed while being supported and protected, it is desirable that the objects be viewable through one or more portions of their enclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a support system or display case 1000 for one or more display items includes an enclosure having a base 100, a top 300, side walls 200 and an interior defined between the base 100, top 300 and side walls 200 configured to house one or more platforms 400 supported by one or more pillars 412.

While top 300 may be constructed in any of a variety of shapes, in one example, top planar portions 310, 320, 330 and 340 support roof 370 in a position spaced apart from top frame 360 which is configured for operative coupling to top edges of side walls 200. Top planar portions 310, 320, 330 and 340 may be provided as separate pieces or formed as one integral sheet of material folded three times and joined at the ends to provide an open box. In some embodiments, roof 370 may also be formed by folding a portion of the same integral sheet of material about an axis perpendicular with the first three folds, thereby providing a box closed at one end. Top 300 may be formed of any of a variety of opaque, translucent or transparent materials. Top 300 may be provided in any of a variety of shapes including but not limited to a rectangular prism or a circular cylinder.

Referring to FIGS. 1 & 3-5, top 300 is provided parallel to base 100 but may be provided at any of a variety of orientations.

While base 100 may be constructed in any of a variety of shapes. In one example, base planar portions 110, 120, 130 and 140 support frame 160 in a position spaced apart from base bottom 150. Support frame 160 is configured to support floor 170. Base planar portions 110, 120, 130 and 140 may be provided as separate pieces or formed as one integral sheet of material folded three times and joined at the ends to provide an open box. In some embodiments, roof base bottom 150 may also be formed by folding a portion of the same integral sheet of material about an axis perpendicular with the first three folds, thereby providing a box closed at one end. Base 100 may be formed of any of a variety of opaque, translucent or transparent materials. Base 100 may be provided in any of a variety of shapes including but not limited to a rectangular prism or a circular cylinder.

Floor 170 may be provided with a plurality of holes 172 configured to receive one or more portions of one or more objects housed within the enclosed interior. In some embodiments, a receptacle 152 may be provided to a top surface of base bottom 150 to enable holding of a portion of one or more objects housed within the enclosed interior and extending through holes 172.

Receptacles 152 may take any of a variety of forms including but not limited to holes or cups with walls raised slightly above the upper surface of bottom 150.

Referring to FIGS. 1 & 3-5, floor 170 is provided parallel to base bottom 150 but may be provided at any of a variety of orientations.

Referring to FIGS. 1 & 3, side walls 200 extend upwardly in a longitudinal direction from base 100 to up to and supporting top 300. While side walls 200 may be constructed in any of a variety of shapes, in one example, side planar portions 210, 220, 230 and 240 support top 300 by way of frame 360. As with top 300, side planar portions 210, 220, 230 and 240 may be provided as separate pieces or formed as one integral sheet of material folded three times and joined at the ends to provide an open box. Side walls 200 may be formed of any of a variety of opaque, translucent or transparent materials. In some embodiments, side walls 200 may be provided in the form of a circular cylinder or may have a compound curvature that is convex at the exterior and concave at the interior.

Referring to FIGS. 1 & 3-5, side walls 200 are provided orthogonal to base 100 but may be provided at any of a variety of orientations.

A first portion 220 of the side walls 200 defines a first door 226 configured to move between an open position allowing access to the interior of support system 1000 and a closed position preventing access to the interior. Pivoting of door 226 between open and closed positions may be enabled by any of a variety of hinge designs including but not limited to butt hinges, butterfly hinges, flush hinges, barrel hinges, concealed hinges, continuous hinges or living hinges.

A lock 228 is configured to lock the first door 226 in the closed position. Lock 228 may take any of a variety of forms including key locks and combination locks.

A second portion 240 of the side walls 200 defines a second door 246 configured to move between an open position allowing access to the interior of the enclosure and a closed position preventing access to the interior. As with door 226, pivoting of door 246 between open and closed positions may be enabled by any of a variety of hinge designs.

A lock 248 is configured to lock the second door 246 in the closed position. Lock 248 may take any of a variety of forms including key locks and combination locks.

In some embodiments, side walls 200 may be provided with only a single door and a single lock.

The interior of the enclosure may visible through at least a portion of the side walls 200 when it is desirable that the interior of the enclosure enable viewing of objects contained thereby. Thus, the side walls 200 of the enclosure, including doors 226 and 246, may be transparent. When it is desirable that the view of interior objects be partially obfuscated, the side walls 200 of the enclosure may be translucent. When it is desirable that objects enclosed within the interior be completely hidden from view, side walls 200 may be opaque.

Side walls 200 may be formed of any of a variety of materials according to the degree of clarity desired for the view of objects within the interior. For example, glass or a transparent plastic such as varieties of poly(methyl methacrylate), a frosted glass or translucent plastic, or wood or metal may be provided for walls 200 to achieve transparency, translucency or opacity, respectively.

In some embodiments, different portions of side walls 200 may be formed of different materials. For example, side panels 210, 220 and 240 may be formed of a translucent plastic while panel 230 is formed of a metal or wood.

A plurality of perforations 232 (FIG. 1) may be provided through back 230 allowing for penetration of one or more portions of one or more internally housed or supported objects therethrough. For example, if electronics are housed, cables which may be necessary for sending and/or receiving electricity or other signals may extend from the interior to the exterior through perforations 232.

A plurality of platforms 400 may be provided within the interior of system 1000 for supporting objects to be held or displayed within system 1000. Referring to FIGS. 1-5, platforms 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, and 480 may take any of a variety of sizes (FIG. 2) and may be spaced, by pillars 412, 422, 432, 442, 452, 462, 472, and 482 (only 412, 472 and 492 are explicitly illustrated) at a variety of distances from base bottom 150 to facilitate support of a plurality of differently sized objects. In some embodiments, large platforms such as 470 and 480 are provided at a greater distance from base bottom 150 than small platforms such as 410 and 420 (FIG. 3) whereas, in other embodiments, small platforms such as 410 and 420 are provided at a greater distance from base bottom 150 than large platforms such as 470 and 480 according to how objects are to be housed or displayed.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate a first plurality of example platform types. Each of the platforms 410, 470 and 490 (FIG. 8) includes a back 418, 478, 498 and a foot 416, 476 and 496 provided at an angle relative to the back 418, 478 and 498. Foot 416 may be provided at a any of a variety of angles relative to back 418, 478 and 498 for example, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees or 90 degrees.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an example display platform usable within the example support system of FIGS. 1-5. One or more platforms 410 may be coupled with single pillars 412 configured to be received through holes 172 and in receptacles 152 to space the platform 410 away from base bottom 150.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a second example display platform usable within the example support system of FIGS. 1-5. One or more platforms 470 may be coupled with two pillars 472 configured to be received through holes 172 and in receptacles 152 to space the platform 410 away from base bottom 150. In some embodiments, platforms 470 may be larger than platforms 410.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a third example display platform usable within the example support system of FIGS. 1-5. One or more platforms 490 may be coupled with four pillars 492 configured to be received through holes 172 and in receptacles 152 to space the platform 490 away from base bottom 150. In some embodiments, platforms 490 may be larger than platforms 470.

Each of platforms 410, 470 and 490 may be provided in any of a variety of sizes and may be supported by pillars 412, 472 and 492 having any of a variety of lengths.

Pillars 412, 472 and 492 may be provided with any of a variety of cross-sectional shapes including but not limited to circular or rectangular.

Any of platforms 420, 430 and 440, 450, 460 and 480 may be provided with any number of pillars. For example, platforms 420, 430 and 440 may be provided with one pillar, platforms 450 and 460 may be provided with two pillars and platforms 470 and 480 may be provided with four pillars.

With portions of the pillars 412, 472 and 492 provided to the receptacles 152, the backs 418, 478 and 498 and feet 416, 476 and 496 may extend at an oblique angle relative to top 300, base 100, floor 170 and side walls 200. In some embodiments, feet 416, 476 and 496 may be provided parallel to base bottom 150 while backs 418, 478 and 498 are orthogonal to bottom base 150.

When it is desirable that objects supported, displayed or otherwise housed within the interior of system 1000 be viewed clearly, pillars 412, 472 and 492 may be transparent. When it is desirable that the view of interior objects be partially obfuscated, pillars 412, 472 and 492 may be translucent. When it is not necessary that objects enclosed within the interior be clearly viewed, pillars 412, 472 and 492 may be opaque.

Pillars 412, 472 and 492 may be formed of any of a variety of materials according to the degree of clarity desired for the view of objects within the interior. For example, glass or a transparent plastic such as varieties of poly(methyl methacrylate), a frosted glass or translucent plastic, or wood or metal may be provided for pillars 412, 472 and 492 to achieve transparency, translucency or opacity, respectively.

In embodiments depicted by way of example in FIGS. 9-10 a plurality of platforms 510, 570 and 590 may be provided without distinct back and foot portions but, instead, include a single support plane 516, 576 and 596.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a fourth example display platform usable within the example support system of FIGS. 1-5. One or more platforms 510 may be coupled with single pillars 512 configured to be received through holes 172 and in receptacles 152 to space the platform 510 away from base bottom 150 at any of a variety of angles, for example parallel with base bottom 150, and at any of a variety of distances. In some embodiments, platform 510 may extend at 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees or 90 degrees relative to base bottom 150.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a fifth example display platform usable within the example support system of FIGS. 1-5. One or more platforms 570 may be coupled with single pillars 572 configured to be received through holes 172 and in receptacles 152 to space the platform 570 away from base bottom 150 at any of a variety of angles, for example parallel with base bottom 150, and at any of a variety of distances. In some embodiments, platforms 570 may be larger than platforms 510. In some embodiments, platform 570 may extend at 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees or 90 degrees relative to base bottom 150 and may be larger than platforms 510.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a sixth example display platform usable within the example support system of FIGS. 1-5. One or more platforms 590 may be coupled with single pillars 592 configured to be received through holes 172 and in receptacles 152 to space the platform 590 away from base bottom 150 at any of a variety of angles, for example parallel with base bottom 150, and at any of a variety of distances. In some embodiments, platform 590 may extend at 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees or 90 degrees relative to base bottom 150 and may be larger than platforms 570.

As with pillars 412, 472 and 492, pillars 512, 572 and 592 may be provided with any of a variety of cross-sectional shapes including but not limited to circular or rectangular.

Each of platforms 510, 570 and 590 may be provided in any of a variety of sizes and may be supported by pillars 512, 572 and 592 having any of a variety of lengths.

As with pillars 412, 472 and 492, when it is desirable that objects housed or displayed within the interior of support system 1000 be viewed clearly, pillars 512, 572 and 592 may be transparent; when it is desirable that the view of interior objects be partially obfuscated, pillars 512, 572 and 592 may be translucent; and when it is not necessary that objects enclosed within the interior be clearly viewed, pillars 512, 572 and 592 may be opaque.

Pillars 512, 572 and 592 may be formed of glass or a transparent plastic such as varieties of poly(methyl methacrylate), a frosted glass or translucent plastic, or wood or metal may be provided for pillars 512, 572 and 592 to achieve transparency, translucency or opacity, respectively.

To provide support and security, in the form of a support system for one or more items to be displayed, an enclosure is configured with side walls 200 extending in a longitudinal direction from a base 100 towards a top 300 such that an interior is defined between the base 100, top 300 and side walls 200.

A first portion of the side walls 200 is configured as a first door 226 capable of movement between an open position allowing access to the interior of the support system 1000 and a closed position prohibiting access to the interior.

A second portion of the side walls 200 is configured as a second door 246 capable of movement between an open position allowing access to the interior of the support system 1000 and a closed position prohibiting access to the interior.

A plurality of perforations 232 are configured through back wall 230.

A portion of the side walls 200 are configured such that the interior of the support system 1000 is visible therethrough. For example, side walls 200 may be configured from a transparent material.

One or more pillars 412 are configured to support each of one or more platforms 410 of a plurality of different sizes and are configured to extend, within the interior, from receptacles 172 and through holes 152 to support back 418 and a foot 416 at a plurality of different distances from the base 100 and at oblique angles relative to the top 300, base 100, floor 170 and side walls 200. Angles of orientation may include but are not limited to 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees or 90 degrees. Pillars 412 and platforms 410 are configured to be transparent.

Pillars 412 may be placed within the enclosure interior through either of doors 226 and 246 and configured to extend from receptacles 152, as described above.

Generally, any of pillars 412, 472, 492 may be configured into any of receptacles 152 and through any of holes 172 provided the configuration and size of pillars 412, 472, 492 is accommodated. For example, pillars 492 may be best received in four receptacles 152 which are configured in a matching arrangement.

With a support system 1000 provided, any of a variety of objects may be provided to the interior of the enclosure on any of platforms 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480 or 490. For example, with a support system provided at a point of sale, small electronics devices such as mobile phones, tablet computers, personal music players or global positioning systems may be positioned on platforms 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480 or 490 for support by feet 416, 426, 436, 446, 456, 466, 476, 486 or 496 and angled by backs 418, 428, 438, 448, 458, 468, 478, 488 or 498.

Alternatively, any number of platforms 510, 520, 530, 540, 550, 560, 570, 580 or 590 may replace any number of platforms 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480 or 490 and any of a variety of objects may be provided to the interior of the enclosure on any of support planes 516, 526, 536, 546, 556, 566, 576, 586 or 596. For example, with this arrangement of support system 1000, miniaturized displays of large items for sale may be positioned on support planes 516, 526, 536, 546, 556, 566, 576, 586 or 596. For further example, the miniaturized displays may be miniaturized mannequins or dolls clothed in miniaturized articles of clothing which may be available for purchase at a point of sale where the support system is located.

In some embodiments, bottom 100 may be configured with a perimeter lip (not illustrated) configured to receive a male projection formed on top 300 (not shown) such that one or more support systems 1000 may be stacked on and releasably locked to one or more other support systems 1000. In some embodiments, a portion of side walls 200 is configured to mate with another portion of side walls 200 such that one or more support systems 1000 may abut and releasably lock to one or more other support systems 1000. In some embodiments, one or more locks may be provided to prevent stacked or abutting support systems from separation during use.

While the disclosure has been presented with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A support system for one or more display items, comprising: an enclosure having a base, a top, side walls extending in a longitudinal direction and an interior defined between the base, top and side walls; one or more platforms provided within the interior; and one or more pillars supporting each of the one or more platforms.
 2. The support system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the interior of the enclosure is visible through at least a portion of the side walls.
 3. The support as set forth in claim 1, wherein the side walls of the enclosure are transparent.
 4. The support as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pillars are transparent.
 5. The support as set forth in claim 1, wherein the platforms are transparent.
 6. The support as set forth in claim 1, wherein the side walls include a back having a plurality of perforations therethrough.
 7. The support as set forth in claim 1, wherein a first portion of the side walls defines a first door configured to move between an open position allowing access to the interior of the enclosure and a closed position preventing access to the interior.
 8. The support as set forth in claim 7, wherein the first door is configured to be locked in the closed position.
 9. The support as set forth in claim 1, wherein the one or more platforms comprise a plurality of platforms of different sizes.
 10. The support as set forth in claim 9, wherein the one or more pillars comprise a plurality of pillars of different lengths supporting the plurality of platforms at a plurality of distances from the base.
 11. The support as set forth in claim 10, further comprising a floor provided parallel to and spaced apart from the base, wherein the floor comprises a plurality of holes configured to receive portions of the pillars.
 12. The support as set forth in claim 11, further comprising a plurality of receptacles provided at the base and configured to receive portions of the pillars.
 13. The support as set forth in claim 11, wherein each of the one or more platforms includes a back and a foot provided at an angle relative to the back.
 14. The support as set forth in claim 13, wherein with the one or more pillars supporting the one or more platforms and engaged with the plurality of holes, the back and the foot extend at oblique angles relative to the top, base, floor and side walls.
 15. A method for providing a support for one or more display items, comprising: configuring an enclosure with side walls extending in a longitudinal direction from a base towards a top such that an interior is defined between the base, top and side walls; configuring a plurality of receptacles in the base to and a plurality of holes in a floor parallel to and spaced apart from the base; wherein the side walls are configured such that the interior of the enclosure is visible therethrough; configuring, within the interior, a plurality of transparent platforms of a plurality of different sizes at a plurality of different distances from the base; and configuring one or more transparent pillars to extend between the receptacles, through the holes and into a supporting relationship with each of the one or more platforms. 